Shi Hao rested in the village for a few days, primarily because his parents and the clan leader were there. After being away for so long, how could they not worry? It was only natural that he couldn’t set off immediately for battle after just returning.
At first, he felt somewhat uneasy in the village because he saw Yun Xi again. She remained as serene and tranquil as ever, carrying an ethereal aura. Over the years, she had stayed the same, waiting in Stone Village without ever considering leaving.
Yun Xi had come here because Shi Hao had been crippled by the remnants of an immortal in the upper realm. Yet, she willingly followed him to this desolate lower realm, determined to care for him for the rest of his life.
Later, they married—but it was more because Shi Hao was striving to achieve his Dao. Marrying her felt like severing his past, reaffirming his resolve, and letting go of old memories.
Shi Hao felt a pang of guilt, believing he had been unfair to Yun Xi. Even after marriage, they treated each other with respect, not like a true couple.
Then, he thought of many things. In this life, he had encountered several women, yet only one remained by his side now.
No matter the reason, no matter the justification, he should not fail Yun Xi.
*”A woman who was willing to follow you to the lower realm, knowing you would become a cripple, who stayed by your side without abandoning you, who vowed to care for you for the rest of your life—do not fail her.”*
These were the solemn words Clan Leader Shi Yun Feng had spoken to him many years ago.
In this world, perhaps the old clan leader was the one who had influenced Shi Hao the most. He was the one who had raised Shi Hao, shaping him into the man he was today.
*”Yun Xi, if you are willing, from now on, we shall be true husband and wife, true Dao companions,”* Shi Hao said softly, gazing at her.
No one was nearby. Yun Xi was stunned, her luminous eyes shimmering with surprise. After all these years, she never expected to hear such words from Shi Hao.
Back then, he had also spoken flirtatious words, but those were just the teasing remarks of a reckless youth who chased after fierce beasts and clamored for roasted meat. How could they be taken seriously?
He rarely spoke with such solemnity. At the very least, during all the time Yun Xi had been with him, he had never made such a serious vow.
Yun Xi’s eyes reddened slightly, but she said nothing.
*”Thank you… for accompanying me all this way,”* Shi Hao said, embracing her gently before turning to leave. He was preparing to take those energetic youths into real combat.
He instructed them carefully, emphasizing the dangers, for this was a true battle where lives could be lost.
*”Remember, in real combat, death is common. Today’s brothers may be nothing but bones tomorrow. Without the baptism of blood and fire, you are nothing more than sprouts in a greenhouse—unable to grow into towering trees!”*
They set off. Shi Ziling and his wife no longer tried to stop him or interfere with his decisions. They knew their child had grown up—now a Supreme Being, far beyond what they could imagine. He had his own path to consider.
The Zhu Yan also followed, curious to see the legendary Hundred Shattered Mountains now that they had been opened. It was particularly interested because it had heard there was an extraordinary monkey inside, and Mao Qiu wanted to see what kind it was.
This was a strange place—a sealed ancient minor world where one’s cultivation would be suppressed, making it difficult to break free.
It only opened once every few ages.
When Shi Hao had entered it last time, he was still a young cultivator in the Cave Heaven Realm. Many things had happened there—he had met Huo Ling’er, Yun Xi, and others.
*”Uncle, are you really making us fight creatures at the Cave Heaven or Spirit Void Realm?”*
*”Big Brother, aren’t the creatures inside too weak for us?”*
The energetic youths felt this place couldn’t truly test their cultivation achievements.
*”This place suppresses the cultivation of intruders, which means it must have been set up by a mighty figure of the past. I’m sending you to explore, to uncover the deepest secrets of this realm—not just to fight some creatures inside,”* Shi Hao explained.
Moreover, if all of them had their cultivation suppressed, they might not have an easy time inside. A low-level battle could still be a test.
It wasn’t yet the time for the Hundred Shattered Mountains to open naturally. This minor world only revealed itself once every few ages, remaining hidden otherwise.
Shi Hao stood there, observing carefully before taking action. As a Supreme Being, he had the power to forcibly break the seal.
*”Hmm… the methods of a Supreme Being?”* He was startled. This minor world was related to a Supreme Being—it was the work of such a figure.
**Crack!**
A massive black lightning bolt erupted between the mountains, splitting the void and causing space to collapse. Then, a minor world emerged.
At the same time, endless white mist surged forth like a tide, engulfing everyone.
*”What’s happening?!”*
The youths were startled but not panicked. They readied themselves for battle. Some had even cultivated Heavenly Eyes—truly exceptional talents with astonishing aptitudes.
The entrance appeared, and they followed the mist into the minor world.
Spiritual energy rushed toward them. The effects of the End of Law Era were slightly weaker here, likely due to the seal acting as a buffer.
The sky was filled with white—pure as snow, drifting in the wind. They were dandelion seeds, shimmering faintly as they danced everywhere.
Shi Hao’s heart sank. He sensed an unusual atmosphere—this minor world was different from when he had trained here before.
But he remained silent, standing at the back, watching as the young men and women reacted.
They did not disappoint him. After all, some had been born in the brutal Desolate Border and had witnessed life and death in the Primordial Imperial City.
Some had already been old enough to remember when they descended to the lower realm with him, their bones imprinted with the indelible marks of war.
*”Be careful! Don’t let those seeds get close! Defend yourselves!”* someone shouted.
*”The laws here are powerful, but they’re not suppressing our cultivation. This isn’t what Big Brother Shi described. Something’s wrong—stay alert!”*
Without Shi Hao’s warning, they instinctively formed defenses, cautioning each other and standing ready. Their sharp intuition told them something was amiss.
*”Woo… woo…”*
A howling sound, like ghostly wails, filled the air. The snow-white dandelion seeds surged toward the youths, their silver glow turning sharp as blades, seeking to pierce flesh and take root.
**Boom!**
Flames roared to the heavens as the strongest among the youths unleashed true fire, igniting the sky and burning the seeds to ashes.
**Pfft!**
However, some of the weaker ones were pierced by the seeds, which took root in their bodies, absorbing their essence to grow.
*”You dare, demon?!”*
The strongest among them moved instantly, striking the affected youths to force out the seeds and burn away the tainted blood.
*”Formation! Kill them!”*
A few leaders stepped forward, commanding the others. In an instant, they split into several groups, each with about a hundred members.
They remained composed, advancing in orderly battle formations, their killing intent palpable.
Shi Hao nodded in approval. These youths lacked real combat experience, but they didn’t falter—they were elite material.
As they ventured deeper, they found bones littering the ground, a lifeless wasteland. No living creatures could be seen—only death, as if they had stepped into hell.
There were plants and spiritual energy, but no fierce beasts or birds of prey. This was nothing like Shi Hao’s memories of this place.
*”What the hell? Everything’s dead—just bones everywhere. Did these cursed dandelions do this?”* The Crimson Bird screeched. It had been here before—this was where Shi Hao had subdued and taken it away.
Further in, all the beasts and birds had perished. Massive skeletons and rotting feathers lay everywhere, their flesh and essence completely drained.
*”Stay calm! Slay gods if we meet them, slaughter demons if we encounter them!”*
The young leaders remained unshaken, walking at the forefront with icy composure.
*”The Demon Willow!”*
Shi Hao recalled the name. Back in the Hundred Shattered Mountains, he had faced a formidable enemy—a descendant of the Demon Willow. At the time, it was said to be the last of its kind.
That battle had been grueling, and he had only barely managed to wound and drive it away.
When he left the Hundred Shattered Mountains, the Demon Willow had stayed behind, taking root in this minor world.
*”Is it that thing? No… that can’t be.”* Shi Hao frowned.
He remembered something else. Legends spoke of an ancient Demon Willow, a terrifying entity that had been chased from the upper realm to the lower, wreaking havoc across the Eight Regions and devouring countless lives.
In the end, the entire world united to barely destroy it.
Beyond that, from his time in the Desolate Border War, Shi Hao knew another crucial piece of information.
During the Immortal Ancient War, the foreign realm had an invincible king—the Demon Willow King!
A peerless monarch among the undying, his strength was said to rival, if not surpass, even that of the infamous Scarlet King.
And the Scarlet King was a monster who had once devoured an immortal king with his Scarlet King Cauldron.
But fate had not been kind to the Demon Willow King. He had encountered one ruthless opponent after another, always seeking the strongest to challenge.
He had fought the True Dragon, then clashed with the Six Paths Reincarnation King, and in his bloodlust, had even faced the Peerless Immortal King.
It was the Peerless Immortal King who finally slew him.
Yet, after the battle, his corpse had vanished without a trace.
*”Everyone, be alert! There’s something strange here—stay sharp!”* Shi Hao’s voice cut through the tension, making them all stiffen.
Their nerves tightened.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage